In a pivotal step aimed at bolstering the European Union's efforts to combat plastic pollution, the 27 member states of the European Union have officially adopted "chemical recycling" as a recognized tool within new environmental legislation. This decision allows materials resulting from this process to be counted towards the mandatory recycled content requirements for plastic packaging, representing a radical shift in European waste management policies.
Ambitious goals for 2030
Under the new agreement, member states agreed to include chemical recycling among the mechanisms adopted to achieve the goal of plastic packaging containing at least 30% recycled materials by 2030, with an interim target of 25% for now. European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen described the decision as an “important first step” towards establishing a comprehensive and harmonized regulatory framework for this promising technology at the EU level.
What is chemical recycling and why is it important?
This step is important because of the technical nature of chemical recycling, which differs radically from traditional mechanical recycling. While mechanical recycling grinds and remelts plastic (which can reduce its quality over time), chemical processing breaks down plastic waste into its basic molecular components (oil or gas). This process allows for the reprocessing of new plastic with a quality comparable to virgin raw materials, making it an ideal solution for dealing with mixed or contaminated plastic waste that is difficult to recycle using conventional methods.
Controversy between industry and the environment
Despite official and industry support, the decision still faces criticism from some environmental organizations. Supporters, including major petrochemical companies, argue that the technology is essential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and lessening reliance on fossil fuels in plastic production. Opponents, however, express concern about the technology's high cost and energy consumption during the processing, warning that it could be used as a pretext for continuing to produce plastic at high rates rather than reducing them.
Economic and strategic impact
This legislation is expected to open the door to massive investments in Europe's green technology sector, as companies seek to develop facilities capable of processing millions of tons of waste that were previously landfilled or incinerated. This shift is an integral part of the "European Green Deal," which aims to transform Europe into the first climate-neutral continent, setting new standards that global markets may have to follow in the future to ensure access to the European single market.
